EKITI NUJ ONLINE JOURNALISTS DISTANCE MEMBERS FROM FAKE NEWS AHEAD OF JUNE 20 GUBERNATORIAL POLL
The Online Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ekiti State Council, has dissociated its members from the spread of fake news and misinformation ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election in the state.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 1, 2026, the Chapel Chairman, Comrade Ayodele Abere, and Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Adeniran, said there is a misconception that online journalists are responsible for fake news, misinformation, disinformation, mal-information, and hate speech circulating on social media.
The Chapel clarified that professional online journalists in Ekiti are guided by the NUJ Code of Ethics and remain committed to agenda-setting and their watchdog role in society.
According to the statement, the Chapel attributed the circulation of false narratives to social media influencers linked to political parties and full-time politicians, rather than to professional online journalists.
“The Online Chapel urges members of the public to distinguish between NUJ professional online journalists and political influencers. Our members are not affiliated with influencers working for politicians or for the 13 political parties contesting the June 20, 2026 governorship election,” the statement said.
The Chapel called on security agencies in Ekiti State to hold political influencers accountable for the spread of fake news and hate speech on online platforms.
It further pledged that its members would monitor and collate information on individuals spreading misinformation, disinformation, mal-information, and hate speech, and forward such reports to the appropriate security agencies for action.
The Online Chapel is a professional body of online journalists under the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council. Its mandate includes upholding journalistic ethics, promoting responsible journalism, and combating misinformation in the digital media space.
